Arica

The province's name comes from the Kunza term arisca, meaning 'new bay', or Ariacca, the name of the Inca chief who used to live in what is currently the city.

Archaeological findings indicate that Arica was inhabited by different native groups dating back 10,000 years. These people are the first known culture to mummify their dead, predating the Egyptians by 2,000 years, and their mummies have been discovered as recently as 2004 and buried as shallow as <1 meter beneath the city's surface. Spaniards settled the land under captain Lucas Martinez de Begazo in 1541, and in 1570, the area was grandly retitled as "La Muy Ilustre y Real Ciudad San Marcos de Arica" (the very illustrious and royal city of San Marcos of Arica). At the time of the Spanish settlement the region around Arica was already multiethnic displaying a mix of local sedentary populations and mitma settlers from the Altiplano. The proportions of these are that the first made up about 66% of the population and the latter 25%. …

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Arica has a hot desert climate, abbreviated "BWh" on climate maps. Unlike many other cities with arid climates, Arica seldom sees extreme temperatures throughout the course of the year and it is also relatively overcast. Arica is also known as the driest inhabited place on Earth, at least as measured by rainfall: average annual precipitation is 0.76 mm (0.03 inches), as measured at the airport meteorological station.

Near Arica lies the Azapa Valley, an oasis in the Atacama Desert where vegetables, olive trees, and citrus fruits are cultivated. The city experienced a relative boom during the nitrate cycle. When that cycle ended, the Chilean government promoted urban development through the creation of an industrial and commercial free-trade zone in 1953, which became notable for its automotive industry. In addition, Arica is an important archaeological and anthropological center, home to the oldest mummies in the world. It features petroglyphs, geoglyphs, and a vast collection of handicrafts and cultural artifacts spanning more than 10,000 years of history, belonging to pre-Incaic Andean and coastal cultures. Arica is also a seaside resort, with a casino, beaches, and a port frequently visited by cruise ships. …